Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Enrollment in Covered California Health Insurance Plans Surpasses
700K; Large Gains Also Seen in Latino Enrollment and Medi-Cal Enrollment

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California™ and the
California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced today that as of
Jan. 31, 2014, more than 1.6 million Californians have signed up for either
Covered California health insurance plans or for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal.

Nearly half of those covered — 728,410 Californians — selected a
Covered California health insurance plan. This strong enrollment trend is
extending into February, where in the first two weeks more than 100,000
individuals enrolled in Covered California, increasing the cumulative total
enrollment in Covered California to 828,638.

“These enrollment numbers mean that with six weeks to go,
California has already exceeded its projected base enrollment for the 2014 open-enrollment
period. While this is a strong showing, our goal is not pinned to meeting
projections, but to making sure every Californian gets covered,” said Covered
California Executive Director Peter V. Lee.

Lee also noted that of those enrolled through Jan. 31, 626,210 are
eligible for subsidies, and insurance companies are reporting that 80 percent of
all enrollees have paid their first month’s premium.

Additionally, 877,000 applicants were determined to be likely
eligible for Medi-Cal coverage. DHCS also transitioned 652,000 individuals
into the Medi-Cal program from the state’s Low Income Health Program. Automated
enrollment allowed county human services agencies to enroll 106,000 individuals
into Medi-Cal coverage, and another 65,000 were enrolled through the Express
Lane program.

“This continued high interest in quality coverage from our
Medi-Cal managed care plans is very encouraging,” said Toby Douglas, director
of DHCS noting that approximately 1.6 million additional Californians have
enrolled or been found likely eligible for Medi-Cal since October. “These
innovative ways of getting so many additional people into coverage moves us
that much closer to realizing the department’s vision of improving the health
of all Californians.”

January also saw a significant increase in the number of
Latinos enrolled. For the month of January, Latino enrollment in Covered
California reached 28 percent, compared with a cumulative rate of about 18
percent for October through December. The enrollment rate of Spanish-speaking
Californians increased, representing about 11.5 percent in January, compared with
5 percent during the first three months of open enrollment.

“We had 45,745 Latinos enroll in a single month,” Lee said.
“We’re glad to see increased momentum for enrollment in the Latino communities,
but we still have work to do as we move into the final six weeks before the
March 31 deadline.”

DHCS also reported improved Latino participation among
those found likely to be eligible for Medi-Cal enrollment. The percentage of
Latinos within the applicant pool increased from 32 percent as of Dec. 31 to 38
percent through Jan. 31.

Through Jan. 31, 2014, online applications had been started
for an estimated 3,031,675 individuals seeking coverage. In the month of January,
195,356 individuals enrolled in subsidized or unsubsidized coverage through
Covered California.

Enrollment of young adults 18 to 34 years old is trending
slightly upward, at 26 percent of the consumers who have selected a Covered
California health insurance plan. This age group represents about 25 percent of
the state’s population but approximately 36 percent of those who are eligible
for subsidies.

Most subsidy-eligible consumers who enrolled — 451,074, or about
62 percent — signed up for a Silver plan, the second-lowest-costing plan of the
four plan tiers. About 86 percent of consumers across all tiers received some
sort of financial assistance.

Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California,
Kaiser Permanente and Health Net lead the way among plans chosen, collectively
reflecting almost 92 percent of total enrollment.

In Covered California’s Small Business Health Options
Program (SHOP), 571 small businesses — representing nearly 5,000 employees and
their dependents — have enrolled for coverage.

Consumers are reminded that there are many paths to enroll
in Covered California health insurance plans and in Medi-Cal, including
in-person assistance from thousands of Certified Insurance Agents, Certified
Enrollment Counselors and county eligibility workers, as well as
self-enrollment online. Consumers can find the nearest in-person assisters by
visiting the “Find Local Help” page at CoveredCA.com.

Consumer response to the application process for Covered
California and Medi-Cal has been positive. In the first three months, at least
60 percent of those who completed enrollment said it was “easy.” About 82
percent of consumers said they found the information needed to choose the right
health plan for them.

Here’s a sample of what people are saying through social
media channels in January:

“For the 1st time in 15 years, I have health
insurance without having to go through months of red tape. Thanks @CoveredCA” — Nicole (via Facebook)

“I am signed up and I had a great experience
doing it. I appreciate having insurance offered to me at a price I can now
afford!!! Thanks to our president OBAMA!!!” — Elaine (via Facebook)

(Includes
individuals who are pending,
eligible and conditionally eligible
coming in through Covered California)

877,000

Medi-Cal
transitions from
Low Income Health Program (LIHP)

652,000

* Estimated, based on an average of 1.8
individuals per application.

**
Does not include applicants for current Medi-Cal coverage through county
human services agencies. This category may also include some individuals
counted in other categories above.

Total Enrollment Oct. 1 - Jan. 31

Subsidy-Eligible

Unsubsidized

Total

626,210

102,200

728,410

Age of Individuals Enrolled: Oct. 1 to
Jan. 31

Age

Subsidy
Eligible

Unsubsidized

Total

Less
Than 18

29,940

4.8%

18,734

18.3%

48,674

6.7%

18
to 25

68,351

10.9%

8,322

8.1%

76,673

10.5%

26
to 34

92,948

14.8%

19,250

18.8%

112,198

15.4%

35
to 44

100,185

16.0%

18,684

18.3%

118,869

16.3%

45
to 54

155,494

24.8%

18,676

18.3%

174,170

23.9%

55
to 64

179,201

28.6%

18,349

18.0%

197,550

27.1%

65
and Older

91

0.0%

185

0.2%

276

0.0%

Grand Total

626,210

102,200

728,410

Race of Individuals
Enrolled*: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31

Race

Subsidy
Eligible

Base
Projection for 3/31/2014

Unsubsidized

Total

White

184,997

38.5%

194,000

41,951

52.1%

238,929

42.6%

Latino

107,892

22.5%

265,000

11,943

14.8%

119,835

21.4%

Asian

114,127

23.8%

83,000

11,893

14.8%

132,944

23.7%

Black or
African-American

11,946

2.5%

22,000

2,318

2.9%

15,270

2.7%

Mixed
Race

26,003

5.4%

16,000

6,682

8.3%

34,631

6.2%

American
Indian
and Alaska Native

982

0.02%

56

0.01%

1,401

0.2%

Native
Hawaiian and
other Pacific Islander

951

0.02%

146

0.01%

1,175

0.2%

Other

13,046

2.7%

2,007

2.5%

16,396

2.9%

Unknown
Race, Non-Latino

20,095

4.2%

3,546

4.4%

23,641

4.2%

Grand Total

480,039

80,542

560,581

* Excludes 144,188 non-respondents.

Language of Individuals Enrolled*: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31

Language

Subsidy
Eligible

Unsubsidized

Total

English

471,843

82.5%

90,338

96.8%

562,181

84.5%

Spanish

46,282

8.1%

1,374

1.5%

47,656

7.2%

Asian and Pacific
Islander Languages

52,650

9.2%

1,590

1.7%

54,240

8.2%

Indo-European
Languages

1,494

0.3%

75

0.1%

1,569

0.2%

Grand Total

572,269

93,377

665,646

* Excludes 62,764
non-respondents.

Metal Level of
Individuals Enrolled: Oct. 1 to Jan. 31

Metal
Level

Subsidy
Eligible

Unsubsidized

Total

Minimum Coverage

2,671

0.4%

5,625

5.5%

8,296

1.1%

Bronze

132,302

21.1%

34,515

33.8%

166,817

22.9%

Silver

421,750

67.3%

29,324

28.7%

451,074

61.9%

Gold

37,537

6.0%

14,696

14.4%

52,233

7.2%

Platinum

31,950

5.1%

18,040

17.7%

49,990

6.9%

Grand Total

626,210

102,200

728,410

Carrier Selected of Individuals Enrolled: Oct. 1 to
Jan. 31

Carrier

Subsidy
Eligible

Unsubsidized

Total

Anthem
Blue Cross
of California

191,934

30.7%

31,696

31.0%

223,630

30.7%

Blue
Shield of California

182,267

29.1%

31,379

30.7%

213,646

29.3%

Chinese
Community
Health Plan

7,141

1.1%

517

0.5%

7,658

1.1%

Contra
Costa Health Plan

597

0.1%

71

0.1%

668

0.1%

Health
Net (HMO)

96,109

15.3%

7,960

7.8%

104,069

14.3%

Health
Net (PPO)

13,388

2.1%

8,464

8.3%

21,852

3.0%

Kaiser
Permanente

113,791

18.2%

17,657

17.3%

131,448

18.0%

L.A.
Care Health Plan

10,253

1.6%

2,190

2.1%

12,443

1.7%

Molina Healthcare

3,980

0.6%

503

0.5%

4,483

0.6%

Sharp Health Plan

4,741

0.8%

1,259

1.2%

6,000

0.8%

Valley Health Plan

688

0.1%

128

0.1%

816

0.1%

Western Health Advantage

1,321

0.2%

376

0.4%

1,697

0.2%

Grand Total

626,210

102,200

728,410

About Covered California

Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the
federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in
partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged
with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small
businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage
starting in 2014, Covered California helps individuals determine whether they
are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis
to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost
Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan
that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can
purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees
the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax
credits.

Covered California is an independent part of the state
government whose job is to make the new market work for California’s consumers.
It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature.
For more information on Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.

About the Department of Health Care Services

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) works to
preserve and improve the physical and mental health of all Californians. DHCS
provides health care services for nearly 9.2 million Californians through
Medi-Cal, including medical, dental, mental health, substance use treatment
services and long-term services and supports. This is accomplished through an
investment of approximately $70 billion annually in public funds for the care
of low-income families, children, pregnant women, seniors and persons with
disabilities. DHCS focuses on delivering quality, effective services primarily
through coordinated systems of care provided by 21 Medi-Cal managed
care plans located in all of California’s 58 counties. For more information
about DHCS, please visit www.dhcs.ca.gov.